RELIGIOUS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2092, 4 September 1867, Page 5 (Supplement)

RELIGIOUS.

CiiunciiOF E gmnd.—The ground round St, Lake's church liiib been fenced in, and the unsightly appearance of the land lius thereby been much improved, The parsonage attached to the church is rapidly approaching completion. The New Zealand Hymnal haying beon found unsatisfactory to many members of the congregation, has been superseded by the introduction of the hymnal known as •' Hymns, Ancient and Modern/'—/V very handsome altar table for St. Mich id's church has been presented by the late Mr John liealey, The tftblo formerly in the church has been removed to the church of St, Mary, at Addington.—The clmpel at Christ's College, Christchurch, is nearly finished. The principals have been placed in position, nnil the root is being covered in. It has been decided that the Cemetery shall be placed under a Board of Management, in which all

the parishes shall lie equally represented. The chapel in the Cemetery ia to he lined, and some other improvements are to he eflwted in the building and in the ground itself,

I uksiittkrian Church.—Thu Churches in the province connceted with this denomination continue to receive a considerable accession to the number of members, and the number of children on the roll of the Sabbath schools, shews a steady increase. Wkhmiyan Ciiuitcii.-Siiicc our last summary no event of any public interest has ■iiken place with regard to this church, with the exception of the very interesting g-ries : Of lectures delivered at the church in Durham street, Christehuroh, by ministers of the various denominations. These hare been noticed in another column. The church has been well attended. The Rev. A. Iteid ■ins given three lectures on the subject of "The Millennium," and Ims announced his intention of giving two more" in continuation of tbo series. The liev. (]. i'rnscr will deliver a lecture on Friday next on " Coleridge, the Philosopher and the Divine." The concluding lecture will be given by the Rev T. Buddie on "The Life and Times of John Wesley." The branches of this church in Lyttelton, the neighbourhood of Christchurch, and in Hokitika arc making eoniiidcrable progress, Roman Catholic Ciiiihcii,—The numbers of the members of this Church, both in Cliristehnrch and its vicinity, have greatly increased during the last inonlli, owing to tbo arrival by the recent emigrant ships of many Catholics. The society of St Vincent de Paul is quietly pursuing its career of usefulness. Many cases of distress have been relieved through ils instrumentality, and the society now possesses the nucleus of a very good library. CoNOKEOATIOXAIi Cnuncii.—This Cliiirch, under the able ministry of the liev W. J. llabens, continues to make a marked progress. The choir has been greatly improved by means of the singing classes recently set on foot. Tnu various charitable institutions of the province continue to b' well supported by the liberality of the public, notwithstanding the great monetary depression which at present prevails. The Orphanage now contains thirty-nine children, who are all well cared for. Some ciitertaininciitJ have hecu kindly given by gentlemen amateurs at the Lunatic Asylum, and the inmates appear to have beon highly gratified by lliem. Many of the patients have been restored to reason and have quitted the Asylum as cured. The Young Men's Christian Association and the Literary Society have been temporarily closed, but efforts will, we understand, be made to resuscitate them. It would be a subject of regret if these useful institutions, vludi have proved s.) beneficial at home and abroad, should be allowed to fall through by reason of any want of energy or lack of interest.